Middle school students compete in chess tournament

Harlandale ISD hosted an open invitational chess tournament for students in sixth through eighth grade at STEM Early College HS on Dec. 8.

All four middle schools were represented as 21 students competed in a six-round Swiss-style chess tournament that had great matches throughout the day.

After six rounds of play, the overall winner was eighth-grade student Marisa Valenzuela from Terrell Wells MS with a record of five wins and one loss.

Second place went to Kingsborough MS sixth-grader Angel Hernandez.

Harlandale MS sixth-grade student Amanda Ramirez came in third place.

Leal MS seventh-grade student Joshua Escobedo received an honorable mention for his fourth place finish as the first four top spots went to a student from each campus represented.

“The students had fun playing against students across the district and are eager to play against each other in the spring tournament,” said Edmundo Garza, McCollum HS Chess Club sponsor and organizer of the event.

A big thank you to Isabel Garza, chess sponsor from Bellaire ES, for assisting in running the tournament.

The chess sponsors from each campus prepared the students for the competition and also assisted in walking the tournament floor during the competition.

Raul Villegas from Terrell Wells MS

Jesse Quintero from Kingsborough MS

Mark Jabs from Harlandale MS

Robert Grann from Leal MS

Congratulations to all participating students and sponsors on a successful chess tournament!